User interface for method for creating a custom track

ABSTRACT

A method for creating a custom track includes providing a plurality of video clips from a memory and providing, on a display, a plurality of video source windows. Each of the plurality of video source windows corresponds to a respective one of the plurality of video clips. The method further includes providing an audio track from the memory. The audio track has a timeline. The method further includes allowing a user to create the custom track while the audio track is playing by correlating portions of the plurality of video clips with the audio track by selecting respective ones of the plurality of video source windows at desired times in the timeline of the audio track.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/468,929 filed Mar. 29, 2011, which is incorporated inits entirety herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to the storage andcreation of video and/or audio tracks and, more particularly, tocreating custom video tracks from multiple video sources.

Millions of music fans attend concerts at numerous venues every year. Asmany artists and recording companies have recognized, video and/or audiorecordings of live concerts are a very popular and successful salesitem. However, in most cases fans must wait for months, if not years, toobtain quality live recordings of a concert—if the recordings areavailable at all.

In addition, many fans would prefer to have a recording of the concertthat they attended as opposed to another venue that was chosen either bythe artist or recording company for mass production.

It is desirable to allow a user to create and purchase video tracks,audio tracks, still images, or any combination thereof from aperformance that was captured via audio and/or video, e.g., a concert ora pay-per-view television show. It is further desirable to provide auser interface that simplifies the process of creating a custom trackfrom multiple video clips.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One preferred embodiment of the present invention is directed to amethod for creating a custom track. The method includes providing aplurality of video clips from a memory and providing, on a display, aplurality of video source windows. Each of the plurality of video sourcewindows corresponds to a respective one of the plurality of video clips.The method further includes providing an audio track from the memory.The audio track has a timeline. The method further includes allowing auser to create the custom track while the audio track is playing bycorrelating portions of the plurality of video clips with the audiotrack by selecting respective ones of the plurality of video sourcewindows at desired times in the timeline of the audio track.

Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a system forallowing a user to create a custom track on a user apparatus. The userapparatus has a display. The system includes a memory storing aplurality of video clips and an audio track having a timeline, and anapplication stored in the memory. The application is configured toprovide, on the display of the user apparatus, a plurality of videosource windows. Each of the plurality of video source windowscorresponds to a respective one of the plurality of video clips. Theapplication is further configured to allow the user to create the customtrack while the audio track is playing by correlating portions of theplurality of video clips with the audio track by selecting respectiveones of the plurality of video source windows at desired times in thetimeline of the audio track.

Yet another embodiment is directed to a non-transitory computer readablestorage medium comprising computer readable instructions for controllinga computer to create a custom track by executing the steps of providinga plurality of video clips from a memory; providing, on a display, aplurality of video source windows, each of the plurality of video sourcewindows corresponding to a respective one of the plurality of videoclips; providing an audio track from the memory, the audio track havinga timeline; and allowing a user to create the custom track while theaudio track is playing by correlating portions of the plurality of videoclips with the audio track by selecting respective ones of the pluralityof video source windows at desired times in the timeline of the audiotrack.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description ofpreferred embodiments of the invention, will be better understood whenread in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose ofillustration, there are shown in the drawings embodiments which arepresently preferred. It should be understood, however, that theinvention is not limited to the precise arrangements andinstrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a system in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a screen shot in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a screen shot in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is a screen shot in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a screen shot in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 is a screen shot in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 is a screen shot in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 8 is a screen shot in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of a system in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a system in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates a computer 100 for use with some of the embodimentsof the present invention. The computer 100 is operated by a user or avenue to create a video or audio track. The computer 100 includes aprocessor 102, memory 104, a display 106, a keyboard 108, and a mouse110. Stored within the memory 104 is at least an operating system 112and an editing program 114. The editing program 114 is used to createthe video or audio tracks. The computer 100 accesses a server 118storing video tracks 122, audio tracks 120, still images 126, and anaccess application 124 through the Internet or a private network.

The server 118 stores audio tracks, video tracks, and/or still images126 that may be obtained from various cameras and sound receivingdevices at venues located around the world. The tracks may be fed to theserver 118 live via streaming video and audio, the tracks may be storedin another location and then downloaded to the server 118, or acombination thereof. For example, a venue may choose to download thetracks to another location or system in order to manipulate the files toinclude timing information or perform other editing of the tracks. Thevenue may also add embedded information regarding the date ofrecordation and the venue name. In addition, some venues may wish todelay user access to the tracks until after the concert has ended.Although embodiments of the present invention may reference a livemusical performance, embodiments of the present invention are alsoapplicable to backstage recordings, television shows, pay-per-viewshows, or the like. According to aspects of the present invention, auser may edit or customize the viewing of, e.g., a basketball game, atelevision show, or a reality television show by switching cameraangles, audio tracks, or the like.

In addition, the tracks available for download at the server 118 may beISO images, streaming video, or other format such as MP3, or MPEG2 or 4.Streaming video allows for digital rights management (DRM) to preventunauthorized copying of content. ISO images may have a DRM watermark toidentify unauthorized reproductions. Although embodiments of the presentinvention may use ISO images, streaming video, and watermarks, it willbe readily understood by one skilled in the art that various otherformats of video and video protection may be utilized without departingfrom aspects of the present invention.

The tracks may also be tiered based on a specific relationship, such astime or number of hits. For example, the first tier may be the mostrecent tracks to be added to the server 118 and/or the tracks with themost hits. The second tier may be made up of less requested tracksand/or tracks that have been available for a specific length of time,e.g., one month, one year, or the like. The older or least favoritetracks may then be archived. The first tier of tracks may be provided tothe user by default, or all tracks from all tiers may be provided to theuser for selection.

When tracks become available at the server 118 for download by thepublic, the access application 124 may be initiated to allow a user toselect and purchase video tracks, audio tracks, still images, or anycombination thereof. FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary screen shot of theaccess application 124 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. Although the access application 124 is shown and describedwith a particular layout, it will be readily apparent to one skilled inthe art that many aspects of the screen shot may be altered withoutdeparting from embodiments of the present invention.

A user, through the computer 100, accesses the Internet 116 in order tostart the access application via the screen shown in the screen shot200. The screen shot 200 includes an artist window 202, a venue window204, and a track window 206. The windows 202, 204, 206 are preferablymenus that provide values for selection by the user. The windows 202,204, 206 may be provided as complete menus, scrolling menus, drop-downmenus, or other formats of presenting selections to a user. Although themenus shown are directed to the categories of artists, venues, andtracks (or songs), other categories may be utilized, such as shows,camera angles, audio tracks, or the like. For example, the user may bepresented with a list of individuals from which to select, and asubsequent menu may be populated with artists associated with theselected individual.

Preferably, based at least in part on a first selection such as“Aerosmith” 201 made by the user from a menu, a second menu is populatedwith values from a second category, wherein the values are associatedwith the selection from the first menu. For example, if the userselected the artist Aerosmith, the venue window 204 may populate oradjust selections accordingly. For instance, the venues available forselection in the venue window 204 would be the venues at which Aerosmithhas played. A further selection such as “Los Angeles” 203 made by theuser from the venue window 204 may also cause the track window 206 topopulate or adjust selections of songs performed by Aerosmith in aconcert performed in Los Angeles. It is understood that any number ofcategories and menus may be utilized, with selections by the userproviding the path to obtaining clips for use in creating the customtrack.

Although the adjustment or population of selections in the windows 202,204, and 206 is preferred, it is also possible to merely black outnon-available selections or leave all selections available regardless ofprevious selections made by the user. The user may select one or moretracks at a time in order to create a compact disc (CD) or audio trackof one or more songs or a digital video disc (DVD) or video track of oneor more performances at one or more venues.

When the user has determined the artist, venue, and track or portion ofa track from which he wishes to create a video or audio track, the userthen determines to create either an audio track via selection button 208or a video track via selection button 210.

If the user presses button 208, the user proceeds to screen shot 300illustrated in FIG. 3. The user may either add additional tracks to thepreviously selected track via button 302 or proceed to checkout viabutton 304. The user may also cancel the order by pressing a cancelbutton 306. In addition, although the following descriptions relate tocreating a custom video track from multiple camera sources, it will beunderstood by one skilled in the art that a user may create custom audiotracks from multiple sound recording devices. In a manner similar tothat shown in FIGS. 5-8, a user may select a particular sound recordingdevice from multiple sound recording devices placed strategicallythroughout the venue. For example, the user may wish to purchase anaudio track composed of audio recorded from a device near a drummer, adevice near the lead singer, and a device near the lead guitarist or anycombination thereof.

Instead, if the user presses button 210, the user proceeds to screenshot 400 illustrated in FIG. 4. Although the remainder of the processwill be described with reference to one video track, as noted above, itis also contemplated that the user may select multiple video tracks,multiple audio tracks, or a combination of both.

In a preferred embodiment of the screen shot 400 shown in FIG. 4, aconfirmation of the chosen track, artist, and venue appears on thescreen. The access application 124 provides the option of previewing adefault video track previously created for purchase by pressing button402. The user may instead prefer to create a custom video track bypressing button 404. If the user selects the default video track, theuser may preview the track with, for example, a pop-up window. The usermay then choose to purchase the default video track or cancel theoperation and create a custom video track. If the user selects thedefault video track, he may then select additional video tracks toinclude in his purchase, or the user may purchase the one video track byselecting the proceed to checkout button 408. The user may also cancelthe order by pressing the cancel button 406.

If the user decides to create a custom track, he preferably proceeds toscreen shot 500 illustrated by FIG. 5. Although the following videoediting application is described with particular characteristics, itwill be understood by one skilled in the art that any method of videoediting may be used in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention.

In a preferred embodiment, a user interface 502 is provided on thescreen 500. The user interface 502 includes a plurality of video sourcewindows (e.g., 504, 506, 508, 510), each of which is associated with oneof a plurality of video clips. For example, multiple cameras may haverecorded various areas of the stage and/or crowd during a concert. Thevideo source windows (e.g., 504, 506, 508, 510) may display a stillimage from the associated video clip, may feature a preview video of theassociated video clip, or the like. In FIG. 5, sixteen video sourcewindows are shown, though any number of video source windows may bedisplayed. When there are fewer video clips than available video sourcewindows for display, video source windows are preferably only presentedto the user for existing video clips. Alternatively, disabled videosource windows may be displayed. When the number of video clips exceedsthe number of video source windows available for display, users mayscroll or flip through multiple pages, rows, columns, or the like ofvideo source windows. Additionally, the video clips need not be derivedentirely from the live musical performance. Users may be provided theoption to upload or import at least one of their own video clips 532.The personal clips 532 may be home videos, Internet clips, or the like.

An audio slider 514 is provided and indicates playback progress of atimeline of a selected audio track. The user selects the “Go” button 522to initiate play of the audio track and movement of the audio slider514. While the audio track is playing, the user creates the custom trackby correlating portions of the video clips with the audio track.Specifically, at desired times in the timeline of the audio track, theuser selects a video source window. As the audio track plays, acorresponding portion of the presently selected video clip also playsand is matched up with the simultaneously playing portion of the audiotrack to create the custom track. In preferred embodiments, the usermay, prior to playback of the audio track pre-select and arrange thevideo clips displayed on the screen, to prevent clutter and to allow theuser to more easily choose from and select the desired video clipsduring playback of the audio track.

Typically, at least a portion of the video clips will be from the samelive musical performance as the selected audio track, and will thereforebe synchronized with the audio track. When the user selects asynchronized video clip during custom track formation, the portion ofthe video correlated with the audio track for purposes of the customtrack will preferably be the corresponding portion of the selected videoclip that was previously synchronized with the currently playing portionof the audio track. Thus, the user is assured that the selected portionsof the video clips showing artist performance appropriately match upwith the corresponding audio, and no visible delay between picture andsound is created. Preferably, the synchronized clips are playedsimultaneously with the audio track in their respective video sourcewindows. This allows the user to better decide which video clips to useduring playing of the audio track. In preferred embodiments, the videoclips for each song, venue, or musical performance share a singledefault audio track.

A preview window 512 is provided for viewing the custom track. While theaudio track is playing, the preview window 512 displays the presentlyselected one of the plurality of video clips to inform the user as towhich of the clips is presently being correlated with the audio trackfor creation of the custom track. The preview window 512 can also beutilized to view the custom track once the audio track has completed.Preferably the audio track runs through completion, but the user maystop playback at any time using the “Stop” button 524. Playback andcreation may be resumed from the same point by again selecting the “Go”button 522. However, an option to reset the audio track in the event ofan error may also be provided. A zoom button 530 may also be provided toallow the user to zoom in or out on the presently selected video clip. Azoom function performed during playback of the audio track is preferablyrecorded into the final custom track.

Once playback of the audio track is completed, the user may select thePreview button 526, which preferably expands the preview window 512 intoa larger review window 602, as shown in FIG. 6. The custom track may bereviewed in the review window 602 using the playback controls 604, 606with the assistance of an accompanying time line 608. If the user issatisfied with the custom track, the user may select “Save” 612 to savethe custom track and thereafter proceed to a purchase or payment screen.The user may also have the option to publish the custom track forviewing and use by other users. If the user wishes to return to theprior screen 500, the user may select “Cancel” 614. The user is alsooffered the option to edit the custom track by selecting the “Edit”button 610.

FIG. 7 illustrates one embodiment of an editing screen 700 for editingthe custom track. In this screen shot 700 an upper portion of the screenallows a user to view the selected clips in a track window 702. The inand out times resulting from the user selections made using the screen500 are also viewable through an in window 704 and an out window 706.The user may add, remove, select, delete, or the like, tracks from thetrack window 702 as desired. The remainder of the upper portion of thescreen may be used to view the video clips and edit the in and outtimes. For example, a time in window 708 allows the user to edit the intime of the chosen video clip. Similarly, a time out window 710 allowsthe user to edit the out time of the chosen video clip. The user mayplay, pause, stop, rewind, or fast forward the video clip as desiredwith buttons 712, 714, 716, and 718.

A lower portion of the screen 700 may be devoted to timing of the videoclips. In this embodiment, a time bar 720 is shown along with theselected clips at their respective in and out times. The lower portionof the screen 700 may include a video portion 722 for viewing theselected video clips and an audio portion 724 for playing the selectedaudio tracks. In addition, the lower portion may include scroll buttons726 and 728 for scrolling through the edited tracks.

FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of an editing screen 800 for addingeffects and the like to the custom track. The editing screen 800includes a preview screen 802 as before. The user may select an “AddText” button 804 to add one or more text overlays to the custom track.Preferably, selection of the “Add Text” button 804 places a text box 806in the preview screen 802 for the user to type and place the text in theappropriate area of the video. The user is also presented with aneffects menu 808, which may contain, for example, video effects 810,812, 814, transitions 816, 818 (such as fades, sliding screens, or thelike), zooms 820, or like effects. The user may also switch betweenmenus 808 by selection of a “Photos” button 822, which will provide oneor more photos that the user may incorporate into the custom track, a“Graphics” button, which will provide one or more graphics that the usermay insert or overlay into the custom track, and an “Effects” button,which provides the previously described menu of effects.

Referring back to FIG. 5, at least one advertisement 560 may be providedto the user. The advertisement 560 may be interactive and is preferablyin the form of a banner advertisement, although the advertisement couldalso be in the form of a separate web page that is temporarily displayedbefore, during, or after access to the program, or may be a commercialthat is displayed with the custom track, or the like. The advertisement560 may also change based on elapsed time, changing pages, or the like.Multiple advertisements 560 may also be displayed. It will be understoodby those skilled in the art that the owner of the access application istypically compensated by an advertiser in exchange for displaying theadvertisement 560. The advertisement may also be a watermark 660 (seeFIG. 6) on the custom track. The watermark 660 may be a temporarywatermark or a watermark that is displayed throughout playback of thecustom track. The advertisement may sponsor at least one song or aseries of songs in the custom track, a segment of the custom track, orthe like.

FIG. 9 illustrates an alternate embodiment of a system of the presentinvention in which the user may access the Internet 916 via a computer900 in order to access a web-based editing application 924. In thisembodiment, the computer 900 accesses servers 904, 906, and 908 tocreate and purchase audio and/or video tracks. The servers 904, 906,908, store video tracks 910, audio tracks 912, and an editingapplication 924. The editing application 924 and access to stored videoand audio tracks 910 and 912 are run remotely via a graphical userinterface (GUI) 902 at the user's computer 900. The GUI 902 allows theuser to view, create, and edit video and audio tracks 910 and 912 in amanner similar to that shown in FIGS. 2-8.

Although the present embodiment illustrates three servers 904, 906, 908for storing video and audio tracks as well as the editing application,it will be understood by one skilled in the art that fewer servers ormore servers may be utilized in accordance with aspects of the presentinvention. A distributed, networked system as shown can allow storagecapacity in the petabyte range with downloads of a gigabyte-per-secondor more. By adjusting the number of servers, the type of storage systemsused, as well as utilizing parallel data input and output, storagecapacity and download speed can be increased or decreased as desired andas economics dictate. For example, a petabyte of storage andgigabyte-per-second download speeds support the storage and download ofhigh-definition digitized video, should the user desire high-definitionvideo.

FIG. 10 depicts an exemplary system for capturing video tracks inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As previouslynoted, a venue 1000 may wish to capture video from several angles fromone or more cameras 1002, 1004, 1006, 1008, and 1010. In the preferredembodiment, there are several cameras 1002, 1004, 1006, 1008, and 1010that capture video from several different locations. For example,cameras 1 and 2 1002 and 1004 may capture video from the rear corners ofthe stage. Camera 3 1006 may capture video of the audience. The camerasmay pan to different areas or specifically capture only one location.Camera 3 1006 may be fixed to a particular location, such as an area1012 defined by the venue 1000. Members of the audience may stand in thedesignated area 1012 to ensure that they are captured on the video ofcamera 3 1006. In the preferred embodiment, camera 5 1010 is located atthe far end of the venue 1000 from the stage. In a similar manner, soundrecording devices 1016, 1018, 1020, 1022 may also be placed throughoutthe venue 1000, either together or separate from the video cameras 1002,1004, 1006, 1008, 1010. Although the preferred embodiment shown in FIG.10 depicts a particular camera/sound recording device layout with fivecameras and four sound recording devices, it will be understood by oneskilled in the art that fewer cameras and recording devices or morecameras and recording devices may be utilized and the placement of thecameras/sound recording devices may be varied as desired by theparticular venue 1000.

In preferred embodiments, tickets are made specially available for seatsin the designated area 1012. The tickets may be made available forpurchase directly from the system operator, or the user may beredirected to a third party vendor. In some instances, the designatedarea 1012 may not include seats, and it may be necessary to provideusers the option to purchase or obtain blocks of time to be present inthe designated area 1012. This option allows more users to be filmed andan opportunity to generate increased revenue.

The video recorded from the camera 1002, 1004, 1006, 1008, and 1010 maybe fed to the server 118 for availability to the public, or the videomay be fed to an editing storage location 1014. Alternatively, the videocould be fed to both the server 118 and the editing storage location1014. At the editing storage location 1014, the video can be edited,default video tracks may be set up, digital management rights and/orwatermarks may be embedded, or other actions may be performed on thevideo. Once the actions are completed, the video may be uploaded to theserver 118. One server 118 is illustrated in this particular embodiment,however, as previously described with reference to FIG. 9, severalservers may be utilized in conjunction with embodiments of the presentinvention.

In addition, the venue 1000 may allow attendees of the concert adiscount, a credit, or a certain number of free downloads in exchangefor paying for a ticket to the concert. For example, the venue 1000 maystamp or print a discount or coupon code on the ticket itself or handout coupons at the venue 1000 itself. The attendee may then go to theInternet, access the GUI or application and enter the discount code whencreating a track. Also, the venue may receive a fee for every purchasedtrack recorded at that venue. Preferably, the discount or coupon code islimited to a predetermined number of uses, and the predetermined numbermay be tied to the purchase price of the ticket, that is, more uses areavailable for a higher ticket purchase price.

It is to be understood that the above-described embodiments are simplyillustrative of the principles of the present invention. Variousmodifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departingfrom aspects of the embodiments of the present invention. For example,various changes may be made to the graphical user interface (GUI),access application, and screen shots depicted in FIGS. 2-8 while stillembodying aspects of the present invention. In addition, the accessapplication and/or the editing application may be stored at the user'scomputer and not at the server. The methods and applications describedabove may be implemented in hardware, firmware, software, orcombinations thereof, or in a computer program product tangibly embodiedin a computer readable storage device. It should also be understood thatwhere a video clip is illustrated in some of the exemplary embodiments,in some instances this can be simply an audio clip, a synchronizedaudio/video clip, or an unsynchronized audio/video stream.

1. A method for creating a custom track, the method comprising: providing a plurality of video clips from a memory; providing, on a display, a plurality of video source windows, each of the plurality of video source windows corresponding to a respective one of the plurality of video clips; providing an audio track from the memory, the audio track having a timeline; allowing a user to create the custom track while the audio track is playing by correlating portions of the plurality of video clips with the audio track by selecting respective ones of the plurality of video source windows at desired times in the timeline of the audio track.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: following play of the audio track, allowing the user to edit the custom track.
 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising: providing, on the display, a menu of effects for the user to add to the custom track.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the effects include at least one of transitions, zooms, or overlays.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of video clips are synchronized with the audio track.
 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising: while the audio track is playing, playing the at least one synchronized video clip in the respective video source window.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: providing, on the display, a preview window for viewing the custom track.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein while the audio track is playing, the preview window displays a presently selected one of the plurality of video clips being correlated with the audio track.
 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising: providing, on the display, a zoom button for the user to perform a zoom function on a presently selected one of the plurality of video clips while the audio track is playing. 